Kiss Me Kate - Barbican / Cinema Release

[marob]

Loads of£30 front row tickets, except the one date I can go to where there aren’t any, just some at the back

[alece10]

Jun 7, 2024 13:05:34 GMT james1969 said:

What’s the view like from the front row please ? Is it a high stage with the revolve ?

Very high so be warned.
Will post my thoughts of the show tomorrow.

[Jon]

Saw this tonight and enjoyed it. It's dated probably more so than Anything Goes but this is a show that is sold on its songs and the casts and Cole Porter wrote some fabulous songs. The highlight for me was a three way toss up between Too Darn Hot, Always True to You in My Fashion and Brush Your Shakespeare which brought the house down.

Cast wise, you can't get better than Stephanie J Block, she is great as Lilli who can belt a tune and does comedy really well, Adrian Dunbar can act the role of Fred but he's not a musical theatre actor and as a result, he pales in comparison to Block and other cast members. Georgina Onuorah, Charlie Stemp, Nigel Lindsay and Hammed Animashaun all get to shine even though they don't get as much stage time as Block and Dunbar. Peter Davison is fine but seems a pointless addition.

I sat in Row D in what was classified as restricted but it's more side view and could see everything.

[alece10]

Saw this last time and it was my first time seeing the musical although I had seen the film as a child and knew all the music.
I did enjoy it and loved the songs, its also very funny. Stephanie J Block was great as others have said and I didn't mind Adrian Dunbar at all. He was a good actor and a fine singer. However he is not a MT singer which you could tell. The main reason for me going to see the show was to see Charlie Stemp. He has a minor role which I knew but he was great when on stage. I also really enjoyed the 2 gangsters who were great comics. I know some people have commented on the set being simple but I think it worked really well especially with the revolve.
I have a couple of questions for people who know the musical and have seen it already sitting further back or higher up.
I got the feeling that Charlie Stemp had been shoehorned into Too Darn Hot alongside Jack Butterworth - as the number felt a little disjointed - is that the case.
And is the orchestra pit covered during part of the show? I couldn't see from where I was sitting.

Which leads me to my seat. I was sitting in the front row. The stage is very high (due to the revolve I presume) which meant that I could only see people from about waist up when they were further back the stage and couldn't see feet at all unless they were right at the front of the stage. I have to say it did spoil my enjoyment of the musical to a certain extent. I booked these seats a few months ago and over the phone as I needed advice on best legroom seats and I was told by the box office that the front row had the best legroom (which it does) however there was no mention of the high stage. Now it could be that when I booked they were not aware that the stage would be so high and I did get the legroom which I wanted but I do feel that once they knew this it should have been communicated to people who had booked or marked the seats as restricted view. I believe they are now selling these seats at £30 but I paid £79 when I booked. Others in the row were also complaining about the view. When I went to see Anything Goes the stage was not as high as this.
My friend said to me that if we enjoyed the musical then we could go again and sit further back or higher up but although I enjoyed the show and have given it 4 stars I don't feel that it was good enough to have a second viewing.

[BurlyBeaR]

Legroom’s pretty generous and the seats nice and wide everywhere in the Barbican isn’t it? I remember after seeing Anything Goes from the extreme edge of the stalls thinking that I’d happily have sat in the middle of a row (which I would never usually do).

[nash16]

Jun 8, 2024 9:29:23 GMT BurlyBeaR said:

Legroom’s pretty generous and the seats nice and wide everywhere in the Barbican isn’t it? I remember after seeing Anything Goes from the extreme edge of the stalls thinking that I’d happily have sat in the middle of a row (which I would never usually do).

The seats are wide, but the legroom in the Barbican isn’t the best. There’s no under seat space either for bags/coats. (There is a free cloakroom, and we’ll worth using if you want space).

The stalls is fine, so long as you’re not in either of the angled seats where it goes from side to centre. You then have to share reduced leg space, even in the premium seats, with someone else. The seat widths are the only real positive.

Most of the Circle/Upper Circle/Balcony seats have v limited legroom.

Re the height of the stage: the revolve has added at least 3-4ft to the normal height of the stage. And looking ahead at dates it’s still priced at £65, not £30.

Going to see the show tonight (from Upper Circle slips). Will report back.

[BVM]

Jun 8, 2024 8:42:09 GMT alece10 said:

Saw this last time and it was my first time seeing the musical although I had seen the film as a child and knew all the music.
I did enjoy it and loved the songs, its also very funny. Stephanie J Block was great as others have said and I didn't mind Adrian Dunbar at all. He was a good actor and a fine singer. However he is not a MT singer which you could tell. The main reason for me going to see the show was to see Charlie Stemp. He has a minor role which I knew but he was great when on stage. I also really enjoyed the 2 gangsters who were great comics. I know some people have commented on the set being simple but I think it worked really well especially with the revolve.
I have a couple of questions for people who know the musical and have seen it already sitting further back or higher up.
I got the feeling that Charlie Stemp had been shoehorned into Too Darn Hot alongside Jack Butterworth - as the number felt a little disjointed - is that the case.
And is the orchestra pit covered during part of the show? I couldn't see from where I was sitting.

Which leads me to my seat. I was sitting in the front row. The stage is very high (due to the revolve I presume) which meant that I could only see people from about waist up when they were further back the stage and couldn't see feet at all unless they were right at the front of the stage. I have to say it did spoil my enjoyment of the musical to a certain extent. I booked these seats a few months ago and over the phone as I needed advice on best legroom seats and I was told by the box office that the front row had the best legroom (which it does) however there was no mention of the high stage. Now it could be that when I booked they were not aware that the stage would be so high and I did get the legroom which I wanted but I do feel that once they knew this it should have been communicated to people who had booked or marked the seats as restricted view. I believe they are now selling these seats at £30 but I paid £79 when I booked. Others in the row were also complaining about the view. When I went to see Anything Goes the stage was not as high as this.
My friend said to me that if we enjoyed the musical then we could go again and sit further back or higher up but although I enjoyed the show and have given it 4 stars I don't feel that it was good enough to have a second viewing.

Thanks for your review Alec. I was actually considering getting one of the 30 quid front row seats in the OLT deal but won't do that now so that's very helpful.

Would you miss much from the far sides would you say? I always prefer an aisle which at the Barbican always means you are at the extreme ends!

Anyway, looking forward to seeing this at some point on one of the many deals about.

That said was a mixed experience for me when last saw it (the Marin Mazzie(?sp) version at the Victoria Palace). I love Cole Porter as a composer and thought the music was great. I really didn't engage much with the plot though which meant some of the loooooong spoken sections really dragged.  

Oh and I'd deffo complain to Barbican re the view given what you paid - they should refund the difference. And their customer service is usually great compared to commercial West End!

[alece10]

Jun 8, 2024 10:32:25 GMT BVM said:

Jun 8, 2024 8:42:09 GMT alece10 said:

Saw this last time and it was my first time seeing the musical although I had seen the film as a child and knew all the music.
I did enjoy it and loved the songs, its also very funny. Stephanie J Block was great as others have said and I didn't mind Adrian Dunbar at all. He was a good actor and a fine singer. However he is not a MT singer which you could tell. The main reason for me going to see the show was to see Charlie Stemp. He has a minor role which I knew but he was great when on stage. I also really enjoyed the 2 gangsters who were great comics. I know some people have commented on the set being simple but I think it worked really well especially with the revolve.
I have a couple of questions for people who know the musical and have seen it already sitting further back or higher up.
I got the feeling that Charlie Stemp had been shoehorned into Too Darn Hot alongside Jack Butterworth - as the number felt a little disjointed - is that the case.
And is the orchestra pit covered during part of the show? I couldn't see from where I was sitting.

Which leads me to my seat. I was sitting in the front row. The stage is very high (due to the revolve I presume) which meant that I could only see people from about waist up when they were further back the stage and couldn't see feet at all unless they were right at the front of the stage. I have to say it did spoil my enjoyment of the musical to a certain extent. I booked these seats a few months ago and over the phone as I needed advice on best legroom seats and I was told by the box office that the front row had the best legroom (which it does) however there was no mention of the high stage. Now it could be that when I booked they were not aware that the stage would be so high and I did get the legroom which I wanted but I do feel that once they knew this it should have been communicated to people who had booked or marked the seats as restricted view. I believe they are now selling these seats at £30 but I paid £79 when I booked. Others in the row were also complaining about the view. When I went to see Anything Goes the stage was not as high as this.
My friend said to me that if we enjoyed the musical then we could go again and sit further back or higher up but although I enjoyed the show and have given it 4 stars I don't feel that it was good enough to have a second viewing.

Thanks for your review Alec. I was actually considering getting one of the 30 quid front row seats in the OLT deal but won't do that now so that's very helpful.

Would you miss much from the far sides would you say? I always prefer an aisle which at the Barbican always means you are at the extreme ends!

Anyway, looking forward to seeing this at some point on one of the many deals about.

That said was a mixed experience for me when last saw it (the Marin Mazzie(?sp) version at the Victoria Palace). I love Cole Porter as a composer and thought the music was great. I really didn't engage much with the plot though which meant some of the loooooong spoken sections really dragged.  

Oh and I'd deffo complain to Barbican re the view given what you paid - they should refund the difference. And their customer service is usually great compared to commercial West End!

I don't think you would miss much from far ends as it pretty much plays to the centre and the revolve is right in the middle where all the action takes place.

[theatre22]

I got the feeling that Charlie Stemp had been shoehorned into Too Darn Hot alongside Jack Butterworth - as the number felt a little disjointed - is that the case.
And is the orchestra pit covered during part of the show? I couldn't see from where I was sitting.

I also thought that about Charlie. He appears about half way through the number, dances and then disappears again whilst it is still going on! I was sat in Row R of the stalls which seems to be where rush tickets have been allocated so far. Does feel a bit far back but was a good clear view to take it all in although you do notice people coming and going at the black curtains right at the back of the stage. I didn’t notice the orchestra pit get covered up.

[raiseitup]

I saw this last night and found it okay overall, the musical numbers are definitely the show's strength, although a couple in the second act had a reprise or two more than were really earned by the performers. I thought the first scene before Another Openin' was a total mess and pretty much all of the book scenes dragged. There were so few laughs until the pivotal scene in the first act where Lilli reads the note and then I felt much more engaged.

Such a treat to see SJB though, she stole every scene she was in and her voice was just sublime. Adrian was... fine but did seem quite unsure of himself and I enjoyed his accent getting increasingly Irish as the night wore on. Poor Charlie Stemp woefully underused and given one of the worst costume/wig combos I've ever seen on stage to top it off.

Quick question, the line about Croydon not being in London – was that added for this run? It got one of the biggest laughs but we were talking about it in the interval and realised that most American audiences wouldn't really have a clue about that.

[ladidah]

At the interval, so disappointed.

Adrian is 100% miscast

[pomegranate]

Jun 8, 2024 14:39:43 GMT raiseitup said:

Quick question, the line about Croydon not being in London – was that added for this run? It got one of the biggest laughs but we were talking about it in the interval and realised that most American audiences wouldn't really have a clue about that.

She just says “you never got to London” in the original script, not sure about the 1999 revival!

[ladidah]

Jun 8, 2024 14:56:32 GMT ladidah said:

At the interval, so disappointed.

Adrian is 100% miscast

Charlie Stemp was as perfect as ever, but I really didn't love it like I wanted to.

*** maybe

[longinthetooth]

I was there this afternoon too, and thoroughly enjoyed the show. I was prepared for the worst with Mr Dunbar, having read the comments on here and seen and heard his croonings in his TV series Ridley, but I didn't think his singing was too bad - or, to put it another way, it could have been a lot worse! I thought SJB was brilliant, and my standouts were 'It's Too Darned Hot' and 'Brush Up Your Shakespeare'. I did feel, though, that the show didn't quite flow, but hopefully that will be ironed out by press night. 4* from me.

The place was packed. I was sat in the 2nd row, about four or five seats in. The stage was a bit high (I was glad I wasn't in the front row) but the angle from the side was fine. I don't think there is a bad seat in the house (although I still hate the Barbican itself as a venue!).

[archibaldi]

Jun 8, 2024 19:46:01 GMT longinthetooth said:

I was there this afternoon too, and thoroughly enjoyed the show. I was prepared for the worst with Mr Dunbar, having read the comments on here and seen and heard his croonings in his TV series Ridley, but I didn't think his singing was too bad - or, to put it another way, it could have been a lot worse! I thought SJB was brilliant, and my standouts were 'It's Too Darned Hot' and 'Brush Up Your Shakespeare'. I did feel, though, that the show didn't quite flow, but hopefully that will be ironed out by press night. 4* from me.

The place was packed. I was sat in the 2nd row, about four or five seats in. The stage was a bit high (I was glad I wasn't in the front row) but the angle from the side was fine. I don't think there is a bad seat in the house (although I still hate the Barbican itself as a venue!).

Why do you hate the barbican, it's my first time going next week

[Being Alive]

It's very easy to get lost/not be able to find it 😂

[gmoneyoutlaw]

Jun 8, 2024 19:56:15 GMT Being Alive said:

It's very easy to get lost/not be able to find it 😂

Lol. So true

[longinthetooth]

Jun 8, 2024 19:47:58 GMT archibaldi said:

Jun 8, 2024 19:46:01 GMT longinthetooth said:

I was there this afternoon too, and thoroughly enjoyed the show. I was prepared for the worst with Mr Dunbar, having read the comments on here and seen and heard his croonings in his TV series Ridley, but I didn't think his singing was too bad - or, to put it another way, it could have been a lot worse! I thought SJB was brilliant, and my standouts were 'It's Too Darned Hot' and 'Brush Up Your Shakespeare'. I did feel, though, that the show didn't quite flow, but hopefully that will be ironed out by press night. 4* from me.

The place was packed. I was sat in the 2nd row, about four or five seats in. The stage was a bit high (I was glad I wasn't in the front row) but the angle from the side was fine. I don't think there is a bad seat in the house (although I still hate the Barbican itself as a venue!).

Why do you hate the barbican, it's my first time going next week

From the moment I step through the doors (assuming I didn't get lost on the way - I didn't this time, but have in the past), the whole complex is a nightmare. I find myself becoming more and more cross, trying to find my way around, or trying to find a seat in a cafe or bar that isn't occupied by people with laptops who have obviously been there all day. When I asked a member of staff the way, she admitted she still got lost, despite working there! That said, once in my seat in the theatre all is well.

[marob]

It’s not that difficult to find is it? Tube to Barbican station, go through the underpass and then it’s on the right, isn’t it?

[greatauntedna]

I saw it this afternoon, I thought it was solid but not spectacular. The revolve is nice but I wasn’t wowed by the set. I was expecting a bit more bite and more back and forth between Adrian and Stephanie.

[osdtdg]

I saw it this evening and would agree with you edna; SJB is amazing and I loved her I Hate Men. The ending was a bit lackluster though, and was not particularly fond of Adrian in all honesty. The rest of the cast were great especially Charlie Stemp and Georgina O.

[ceebee]

Jun 8, 2024 20:18:41 GMT longinthetooth said:

Jun 8, 2024 19:47:58 GMT archibaldi said:

Why do you hate the barbican, it's my first time going next week

From the moment I step through the doors (assuming I didn't get lost on the way - I didn't this time, but have in the past), the whole complex is a nightmare. I find myself becoming more and more cross, trying to find my way around, or trying to find a seat in a cafe or bar that isn't occupied by people with laptops who have obviously been there all day. When I asked a member of staff the way, she admitted she still got lost, despite working there! That said, once in my seat in the theatre all is well.

I don't have a problem finding my way around but, yes, what is it with all the folk with laptops hogging the space? I thought it was a weekday phenomenon but they were there this evening too. Feels like a student dosshouse.

I give the show 3.5 - it's good, but it's not great.

[jek]

I was at the Erland Cooper concert in the Barbican Hall last night. It finished just after Kiss Me Kate. As we left I was very surprised to see a big queue at the Barbican stage door, with barriers in place to manage the numbers. Just a heads up for those wishing to get autographs.

[ladidah]

I also made myself laugh when coming out of the theatre. I had thought Robert Lindsay was playing a mobster, so assumed I was watching the understudy. Then saw the giant poster with Nigel Lindsay...

[nash16]

Four of us went to this on Saturday night. There are positives and negatives, but ultimately the basics of the show (book/music) are why this fails to truly soar, no matter how much editing/polishing.

The Positives

Wonderful to see SJB on our stages and being so brilliant. She grabs every opportunity to show off her vocal range, and brings the energy and wit, that is lacking elsewhere but more on that later.

It’s a show where the supporting players (sometimes lost in KMK) actually steal the show.

Georgina, Hammed, and Nigel all driver knock out performances, and help the second half to fly by. The audience fall in love with all three of them.

The orchestra sound great, and from where we were in Upper Circle slips (great view and proximity as most played centre stage) we heard every line and note.

The Negatives

The Design: they’re using a revolve split into three sections, like Sher’s My Fair Lady. Unfortunately where that had range in design, this appears to have little difference for the three rooms/views.

Brick Wall.

Brick Wall.

And…Brick Wall.

Unlike the MFL revolve this doesn’t retract, so it then leaves only a small playing space in front of it (and that terrifying hole into the orchestra pit). As a result, despite the vastness of the Barbican stage, it all looks a bit lost. They could have used the WHOLE stage, but the revolve kills this. As a result, supposedly BIG numbers like Another Opening and Too Darn Hot feel stifled. You want and need that soace; that exhilaration. But they’ve designed themselves (literally) into a corner.

Maybe they want to tour it?

Oddly for Catherine Zuber the costumes aren’t all that either. Some nice dressing gowns, but the play within a play designs are not good.

And the wigs…. Poor Charlie Stemp looks like he’s in drag. Which wouldn’t be a bad thing in a drag show, but…

Lighting wise it’s fine, but when they want the audience to go nuts, they blind us with multiple spotlights that finally land on SJB/Georgina/Adrian delete as appropriate. We get it. We’ll clap louder for them on these numbers, but don’t blind us in the process.

Speaking of Charlie, his character is supporting, but just feels not there. And if they’re going to show horn him into Too Darn Hot with hunky Butterworth at least make a back story for them. Eg a rivalry over Lois/Bianca. Not then just jumping in unison 8 times and smiling at each other.

Also, where was the heat in that number? Is what mentioned in act one? We couldn’t remember. But it didn’t seem hot enough or sexy enough. It should have the audience going nuts. On Saturday one woman in the stalls stood up brandishing her wine glass, looked around, as realised she should probably sit down as everyone else was.

But then that’s the show too: which is another downside. We get what’s going on, but there isn’t enough depth in the book or the songs to make us truly care. Direction wise this hasn’t been kind either, so the show happens, without truly investing and engaging its audience. That’s not to say it feels long. It doesn’t. But it just…happens.

Peter Davison rocks up so late and with the thinnest of the plots that it almost seems pointless to have made it starry casting. Someone needs to put him in a Gene Hackman bio pic immediately though.

And finally, Mr Dunbar. He’s giving a wonderful performance, for television. But not for the theatre. Or that stage. You can hear he’s thought about the wit and delivery, but it’s delivered in such a quiet, half energised way that we completely switch off. SJB is giving her all, but, as the show goes on even she herself loses energy because she has none coming back to her.

He CAN sing. But it’s a cautious singing.

Those two characters should be at raging loggerheads, then in love, then loggerheads again. But there’s no opportunity for that because he’s simply too under energised. The stakes are…zero.

Watch those early scenes with them together and it’s painful. His song in the second half is completed, rather than performed.

But we all knew this would be the case.

He’s a good actor, but has completely misjudged the show’s tone and requirements for a big space.

The ensemble are great and give there all, but ultimately the bad, cramping design, and Dunbar’s lack of energy kill it being a true hit.

Go for the supporting players, but this ain’t no Anything Goes.